Megadeth
Dave Mustaine’s cerebral thrash metal
Formation and early years
Megadeth was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles by Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals) after his dismissal from Metallica. Mustaine, born on September 13, 1961 in La Mesa, California, channeled his anger into a more technical and complex form of thrash metal.
Major albums
Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? (1986) established the band among thrash metal’s “Big Four” (alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax). Rust in Peace (1990), featuring guitarist Marty Friedman, is considered a landmark of technical metal.
Countdown to Extinction (1992) reached number two on the Billboard charts and sold more than 2 million copies in the United States.
The rivalry between Dave Mustaine and Metallica is one of the most famous in metal history. Fired from the band for violent behavior just before the recording of Kill ‘Em All, Mustaine poured his frustration into Megadeth, creating a more technical and complex style of thrash. This competition pushed both bands to constantly outdo one another.
Legacy
Megadeth has sold more than 38 million albums and received 12 Grammy Award nominations. Dave Mustaine is regarded as one of the most technically skilled metal guitarists in history.
Iconic guitars
Dave Mustaine is associated with his Dean VMNT signature models and Gibson Flying V guitars, known for their aggressive and precise tone.
See the guitar: Kramer SM-1 ex Kiko Loureiro – Megadeth
